Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1887-02-17
CEREDo. WAYNE co. w. VA THURSDAY FEBRUARY H. 1887

only that labor should be necessary To his
support In some degree; nor il IL REQUIRED
that he should be now receiving support
from others. Recent observation and ex-
pcricncc constrain the President TO refer TO
another result sure to follow the passage OF
tins bill There can be no doubt, he says,
that the race after pensions offered by tho
Dill would not only stimulate weakness and
pretended incapacity for labor, bu, put n
further premium on dishonesty and men
dacity More than this. while cost should
not be set against patriots duty or the
recognition OF right, still. when a meas
urc proposed In based upon generosity or
motives OF charity IL is not amiss TO mcdi-
tate somewhat upoEt the expense II involves
Experience, the President says, has
demonstrated that all the estimates con.
corning the probable future cost OF a pen.
sion list are uncertain and unreliable and
always fall below actual religion. and in
support ofhis assertion, SAYS; 'sThc chair
man OF the House Committee ON Pensions
calculates that tho number of pensioners
under this bill woald bc "a, los aud tho in.
creased cost -, s6s, 100; this is upon tho
theory that only those who are entirely un.
able To work wonld be its bcnehciarics
such was the principle OF the Rcvolutionary
pension law of 1878, much more clearly
stated, II seems TO me, than in this bill
When the law of 1878 was upon ITS passage
IN Congress the number OF pensioners 10 be
benefited thereby was thought 10 be gsi.
but the number of applicants under the act
was S,SH1, and the number OF pensions
actually allowed were 2O,iS5, costing II il
reported, for the first year 81 SO 800, instead
OF $4,000, the estimated expense for that
period.
"A law was passed in 1883 for the benefit
OF the surviving widows OF Revolutionary
soldiers who were married after January l.
1890. IL was estimated that they numbered
no at tho time OF the passage of the act
but the number OF pensions allowed was
3,'t2, and the amount paid for such pensions
during the first year OF the operation OF tho
act was sicO,0oo, instead OF $4,000 as had
been estimated
IL have made no search for other illustra-
tions, the President adds ''and the above
being at hand are given as tending 20 show
that estimates cannot bc relied upon in such
cases.
Continuing with his objections TO the bill.
the President says "If none should be
pensioncd under this bill except those ut
toriy unable 10 work, am satisfied that the
cost stated I'm the estimate rcferrcd TO
would he many times multiplied, and with
"a constant increase from year 10 year, and
II those partially unable 10 earn their sup
port should bc admitted TO the privileges OF
this bill, the probable increase of expense
would be almost appalling. think II may
be said that at the close OF the war OF tho
Rebellion every Northern State and u great
majority OF Northern counties aud cities,
were burdencd with taxation on
account Of the large bounty paid our sol.
dicrs, and the bonded debt thereby created
still constitutes "A large item In the accounts
OF the tax gatherer against the people.
Federal taxation no less borne by the pco-
pie than that directly levied upon their
property is still maintained at the rate
made necessary by the excgcncies of war.
III this bill should become law with it's
tremendous addition 10 our.pension obliga-
uons, am thoroughly convinced that furth-
or efforts To reduce the Federal revenue and
restore some part OF n 10 our people will,
and perhaps should. be seriously question.
cd. IL has conveniently been a cause of
pride and congratulation 20 tho American
citizens that this country Is not put 20 a
charge Of maintaining large standing
army In time Of peace. Yet we are now
living under war tax which has been
tolerated In peaceful time for 10 meet the
obligations incurred In war But for years
past. In all parts OF the country, the demand
for the reduction OF the burdens of taxation
upon our labor and production has increased
In volume and urgency
~ am not willing 70 approve measure
presenting the objections 20 which this bill
IA subject, and which moreover will have
the effect Of disappointing the expectations
OF the people and their desire and hope for
relief from war taxation In time Of peace"
The President closes his message by say
ing: THE evil threatened by this bill Is. la
my opinion. such that charged with great
responsibility in behalf OF the people, I can
not do other wise than 20 bring 70 the con
sideration Of this measure my best efforts
OF thought and Judgment and perform my
constitutional duty IL relation thereto, re-
gsrdless OF all consequences, except such
as appear 70 be related 20 the best and high
est interests Of the country